Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an information processing device enabling easy derivation of molding conditions when producing a new molded body by blow molding. [Solution] An information processing device 4 comprises: a data acquisition unit 400 that acquires new product data B2 including a new molded body shape indicating the shape of the new molded body; and a molding condition processing unit 402 that retrieves, as similar product data B5, existing product data B1 similar to the new product data B2 from a database 30 storing, in association with each other, a plurality of pieces of existing product data B1 including an existing molded body shape indicating the shape of an existing molded body and existing molding condition data A1 indicating molding conditions when the existing molded body was produced, and generates, on the basis of the similarity D1 between the new product data B2 and the similar product data B5, new molding condition data A2 indicating molding conditions when the new molded body is produced.

Description

Information Processing Apparatus and Information Processing Method

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method.

[0002] Since the shape of a molded body obtained by blow molding is affected by various molding conditions in blow molding, it is necessary to perform a condition determination operation for adjusting the molding conditions. Patent Document 1 discloses a design system that calculates, by simulation, the molding conditions for blow molding to obtain a molded body that satisfies the container shape requirements.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-62896

[0004] In the design system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the molding conditions for blow molding are calculated by a simulation model for a target value of the shape of a new molded body. However, it is difficult to match the calculated value of the shape of the molded body calculated using the simulation model based on the molding conditions of blow molding with the actual value of the shape of the molded body when actually produced by blow molding, and it was necessary to spend a lot of time improving the simulation model in order to match the two.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that enable easy derivation of molding conditions when producing a new molded body by blow molding.

[0006] To achieve the above objective, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device for processing information regarding molding conditions when producing a molded body by blow molding, comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires new product data including new molded body shape indicating the shape of a new molded body; and a molding condition processing unit that searches for existing product data similar to the new product data as similar product data from a storage unit in which existing product data including existing molded body shape indicating the shape of an existing molded body and existing molding condition data indicating the molding conditions when the existing molded body was produced, and generates new molding condition data indicating the molding conditions when producing the new molded body based on the degree of similarity between the new product data and the similar product data.

[0007] According to the information processing apparatus and information processing method of the present invention, molding conditions for producing a new molded body by blow molding can be easily derived.

[0008] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the molding management system 1. This is a schematic plan view showing an example of the blow molding apparatus 20f. This is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the molding unit 22. This is a block diagram showing an example of the blow molding apparatus 20f. This is a flowchart showing the flow of the blow molding process. This is a data configuration diagram showing an example of the database 30 managed by the database device 3. This is a block diagram showing an example of the information processing device 4. This is a functional diagram showing an example of the information processing device 4. This is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the computer 900. This is a flowchart showing an example of the information processing method by the information processing device 4.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the scope necessary for explaining how to achieve the objectives of the present invention will be schematically shown, and the scope necessary for explaining the relevant parts of the present invention will be mainly explained, with any parts that are omitted from explanation being based on prior art.

[0010] (Configuration of Molding Management System 1) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the Molding Management System 1. The Molding Management System 1 functions as a system that produces molded products by blow molding a workpiece into a molded body. The Molding Management System 1 is also a system that manages various information related to the workpiece, the molded body, molding conditions, etc.

[0011] Any blow molding method can be used, such as stretch blow molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, or multilayer blow molding. In this embodiment, we will describe the case in which a hollow bottle 11 (for example, a PET bottle), which is a form of molded product, is produced from a preform 10, which is a form of the workpiece, by biaxial stretch blow molding. Note that the molded product is not limited to a bottle 11, but may have any shape as long as it is produced by blow molding. Furthermore, the molded product is not limited to being formed from raw materials into a workpiece called, for example, a preform 10 or a parison, and then molded from the workpiece into a molded product; it may also be molded directly from raw materials into a molded product.

[0012] The molding management system 1, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a container production device 2, a database device 3, an information processing device 4, and a user terminal device 5. Each of the devices 2 to 5 is, for example, a general-purpose or dedicated computer (see Figure 9 below) and is connected to a wired or wireless network 6, enabling the mutual transmission and reception of various types of data. The number of each device 2 to 5 and the connection configuration of the network 6 are not limited to the example in Figure 1 and may be changed as appropriate.

[0013] The container production apparatus 2 is a device that uses a mold 200 and operates according to molding conditions to blow-molde a preform 10 into a bottle 11. The container production apparatus 2 includes an injection molding apparatus 20a for injection molding synthetic resin, which is the raw material, into a preform 10; a preform removal apparatus 20b for removing the preform 10 from the injection molding apparatus 20a and transferring it to a preform conveyor 20c; a preform conveyor 20c for transporting the preform 10; a preform heating apparatus 20d installed in the middle of the preform conveyor 20c for heating the preform 10; a preform supply apparatus 20e for receiving the preform 10 from the preform conveyor 20c and supplying it to a blow molding apparatus 20f; a blow molding apparatus 20f for molding the heated preform 10 into a bottle 11; a molded body removal apparatus 20g for removing the bottle 11 from the blow molding apparatus 20f and transferring it to a molded body transport conveyor 20h; and a molded body transport conveyor 20h for transporting the molded bottle 11. Note that the configuration of the container production apparatus 2 is not limited to the example in Figure 1 and may be modified as appropriate.

[0014] The database device 3 includes a database 30 that can register existing molding condition data A1, which shows the molding conditions used when an existing bottle 11 was produced, and existing product data B1 related to that existing bottle 11, in association with each other. The existing molding condition data A1 and existing product data B1 registered in the database 30 are referenced by the information processing device 4 and the user terminal device 5. Details of the database 30 will be described later.

[0015] The information processing device 4 is a device that, based on new product data B2 relating to a new bottle 11, refers to the database 30 to search for existing product data B1 similar to the new product data B2 relating to the new bottle 11, and generates new molding condition data A2 indicating the molding conditions when producing the new bottle 11.

[0016] The existing molding condition data A1 and the new molding condition data A2 are basically the same data. Specifically, the existing molding condition data A1 and the new molding condition data A2 are information indicating the molding conditions and are specified by multiple molding condition parameters. In addition, the existing product data B1 and the new product data B2 are basically the same data. Specifically, the existing product data B1 and the new product data B2 include identification information for the bottle 11, information indicating the shape of the bottle 11 (molded body shape), information indicating the shape of the preform 10 (molded body shape), and information indicating the raw materials of the bottle 11 (molded body raw materials). Further details of the molding condition data and product data will be described later.

[0017] The user terminal device 5 is a device used by users, such as the production manager of the bottle 11. The user terminal device 5 has application programs, a web browser, and other programs installed, and accepts various input operations and outputs various information via a display screen and sound. The user terminal device 5 is used when the user inputs instructions to the information processing device 4, outputs the processing results of the information processing device 4, or edits the database 30.

[0018] (Blow molding apparatus 20f) Figure 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a blow molding apparatus 20f. Figure 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a molding unit 22. The blow molding apparatus 20f uses a plurality of molds 200 (12 in this embodiment) to supply blow fluid into a preform 10 held between the molds 200, and repeatedly performs a blow molding process for each mold 200 to blow mold a hollow bottle 11 from the preform 10. In this embodiment, the blow fluid is described as air, but it may be any other gas or liquid.

[0019] The blow molding apparatus 20f comprises, as its main components, a rotary unit 21, a plurality of molding units 22 (12 in this embodiment) arranged at predetermined intervals on the circumferential orbit of the rotary unit 21, and a control unit 23 that controls each part of the blow molding apparatus 20f.

[0020] The rotary unit 21 includes, for example, a rotary support section 210 formed in the shape of a disc and supporting a plurality of molding units 22, and a rotating mechanism section 211 that rotates the rotary support section 210 at a predetermined rotational speed (rotational period).

[0021] Each of the multiple molding units 22 includes a mold support mechanism 220 that supports the mold 200 so that it can be opened and closed, a seal support 221 that supports the preform 10 held in the mold 200 in a sealed state, a stretch rod 222 that is inserted into the preform 10 supported by the seal support 221, a stretch rod support mechanism 223 that supports the stretch rod 222 so that it can move forward and backward, a blow fluid supply and discharge unit 224 that supplies or discharges blow fluid (air) to the stretch rod 222, and a temperature control mechanism 225 that adjusts the temperature of the mold 200.

[0022] The blow fluid supply and discharge section 224 includes a main pipe 2240 connected to a stretch rod 222 via a seal support section 221, three branch pipes 2241A to 2241C branching off from the main pipe 2240, a pre-blow valve 2242 provided in branch pipe 2241A connected to a low-pressure pre-blow air supply source, a main blow valve 2243 provided in branch pipe 2241B connected to a high-pressure main blow air supply source, an exhaust valve 2244 provided in branch pipe 2241C connected to an exhaust system, and a pressure sensor 2245, a flow sensor 2246, and a temperature sensor 2247 provided in the main pipe 2240 or the seal support section 221. The pressure sensor 2245, flow sensor 2246, and temperature sensor 2247 each function as measuring units capable of measuring the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the blow fluid (pre-blow air, main blow air, and blow air exhaust) supplied into the preform 10 at predetermined measurement time intervals, and output the measured values ​​at each point in time as measurement results.

[0023] Although the specific configurations of the rotating mechanism 211, mold support mechanism 220, seal support mechanism 221, and stretch rod support mechanism 223 are omitted in Figures 2 and 3, they are configured by appropriately combining, for example, a module for generating driving force such as a servo motor and cylinder, a driving force transmission mechanism such as a linear guide, ball screw, gear, cam, belt, coupling, and bearing, and sensors such as a linear sensor, encoder sensor, and limit sensor. Also, although the specific configuration of the temperature control mechanism 225 is omitted in Figures 2 and 3, it is configured by appropriately combining, for example, a module for temperature control such as an electric heater and sensors such as a temperature sensor.

[0024] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a blow molding apparatus 20f. The control unit 23 is electrically connected to the module group and sensor group provided by the rotary unit 21 and the multiple molding units 22, and functions as a control unit that comprehensively controls the rotary unit 21 and the multiple molding units 22. Figure 4 shows the pre-blow valve 2242, main blow valve 2243, and exhaust valve 2244 as part of the module group, and the pressure sensor 2245, flow sensor 2246, and temperature sensor 2247 as part of the sensor group, but the other module groups and sensor groups are not shown.

[0025] The control unit 23 is composed of, for example, a general-purpose or dedicated computer (see Figure 9, described later). The control unit 23 comprises, as its main components, a control unit 230, a communication unit 231, an input unit 232, an output unit 233, and a storage unit 234.

[0026] The control unit 230 is composed of, for example, a processing unit (CPU, MPU, GPU, etc.) and a sequencer. The control unit 230 functions as a blow molding control unit 2300, a pressure monitoring unit 2301, a flow rate monitoring unit 2302, and a temperature monitoring unit 2303 by executing, for example, a blow molding program 2340 stored in the storage unit 234.

[0027] The blow molding control unit 2300 operates the module group provided by the rotary unit 21 and the module group provided by each molding unit 22. The pressure monitoring unit 2301 monitors the measurement results from each pressure sensor 2245 and notifies the blow molding control unit 2300 of the air pressure monitoring results. The flow rate monitoring unit 2302 monitors the measurement results from each flow rate sensor 2246 and notifies the blow molding control unit 2300 of the air flow rate monitoring results. The temperature monitoring unit 2303 monitors the measurement results from each temperature sensor 2247 and notifies the blow molding control unit 2300 of the air temperature monitoring results.

[0028] The communication unit 231 is connected to a communication network and functions as a communication interface for sending and receiving various types of data with, for example, terminal devices (not shown) used by the blow molding machine 20f user (operator, administrator, etc.) and production management devices (not shown) that perform production management for the molding management system 1. The input unit 232 accepts various input operations from the user of the blow molding machine 20f, and the output unit 233 functions as a user interface by outputting various types of information to the machine user via screen display, signal tower illumination, and buzzer sounding.

[0029] The storage unit 234 stores various programs (operating system (OS), blow molding program 2340, etc.) and data (device setting information 2341, etc.) used in the operation of the blow molding apparatus 20f. The device setting information 2341 is information that can register various operating conditions when the blow molding apparatus 20f performs blow molding processing, and is configured to be editable by the device user, for example, via a display screen (setting interface).

[0030] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the blow molding process. The blow molding process is a process in which a blow molding treatment is performed according to molding conditions, and involves heating a preform 10, setting the heated preform 10 in a mold 200, blow molding the set preform 10, and producing a bottle 11. The blow molding process includes a preform heating process (step S100), a pre-blow process (steps S110 to S114), and a main blow process (steps S120 to S124).

[0031] First, in step S100, the preform heating device 20d heats the preform 10, which has been transported by the preform conveyor 20c, to a predetermined temperature as it passes through the heating section provided by the preform heating device 20d. Then, the preform supply device 20e supplies the heated preform 10 to the blow molding device 20f.

[0032] Next, in step S110, the blow molding apparatus 20f supports the heated preform 10 with the seal support portion 221. In step S111, the blow molding apparatus 20f closes the mold 200 with the mold support mechanism portion 220. In step S112, the blow molding apparatus 20f stretches the preform 10 by advancing the stretch rod 222 along the central axis of the preform 10. In step S113, the blow molding apparatus 20f opens the pre-blow valve 2242. In step S114, the blow molding apparatus 20f maintains the pre-blow pressure by continuing to supply pre-blow air while advancing the stretch rod 222.

[0033] Next, in step S120, the blow molding apparatus 20f closes the pre-blow valve 2242 to stop the supply of pre-blow air and opens the main blow valve 2243 to increase the main blow pressure. In step S121, the blow molding apparatus 20f maintains the main blow pressure at the target pressure by continuing to supply the main blow air. In step S122, the blow molding apparatus 20f closes the main blow valve 2243 and opens the exhaust valve 2244 to discharge the blow fluid to the outside from the main piping 2240. In step S123, the blow molding apparatus 20f opens the mold 200 with the mold support mechanism 220 while the stretch rod 222 retracts from inside the bottle 11. In step S124, the blow molding apparatus 20f releases the bottle 11 from the seal support 221. Then, the molded body removal device 20g removes the blow-molded bottle 11 from the mold 200.

[0034] (Database 30) Figure 6 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of a database 30 managed by the database device 3. The database 30 has multiple records for each bottle ID to associate various types of information handled by the molding management system 1. The bottle ID is, for example, identification information such as a model number or part number to identify the bottle 11, and is included in the product data B. Each record has fields in which multiple molding condition parameters related to the molding conditions included in the molding condition data A, and multiple product parameters related to the molded body shape, the shape of the molded body, and the raw materials of the molded body included in the product data B can be registered.

[0035] The molding condition data A and product data B registered in the database 30 can be accessed from the information processing device 4 and the user terminal device 5 as existing molding condition data A1 and existing product data B1, respectively, associated with each existing bottle 11. Editing operations such as adding, deleting, and modifying each data can be performed on the display screen of the user terminal device 5. The existing molding condition data A1 and existing product data B1 may be obtained as production results when the bottle 11 is actually produced by the container production device 2, or as test results from a test device that simulates the container production device 2, or as simulation results from a simulation device.

[0036] Molding condition data A is information indicating the molding conditions in the blow molding process shown in Figure 5. Molding condition data A includes, for example, at least one of the following: preform heating conditions in the preform heating process (step S100), pre-blow conditions in the pre-blow process (steps S110 to S114), and main blow conditions in the main blow process (steps S120 to S124). In this embodiment, molding condition data A will be described as including preform heating conditions, pre-blow conditions, and main blow conditions.

[0037] The preform heating conditions include, as molding condition parameters, the preform temperature and at least one of the preform temperature control conditions. The preform temperature is the temperature of the preform 10 when it is heated by the preform heating device 20d and supplied to the blow molding device 20f by the preform supply device 20e. The preform temperature control conditions include at least one of the heater temperature in the preform heating device 20d, the length of the heating section, and the transport speed of the preform transport conveyor 20c.

[0038] The pre-blow conditions include, as molding condition parameters, at least one of the following: pre-blow pressure, pre-blow time (pre-blow start timing, pre-blow maintenance time), pre-blow air flow rate, amount of stretching of the preform 10 by the stretch rod 222, and stretching speed by the stretch rod 222.

[0039] The main blow conditions include, as molding condition parameters, at least one of the main blow pressure, main blow time (main blow start timing, main blow maintenance time), main blow air flow rate, and main blow maintenance time.

[0040] Product data B includes identification information for bottle 11 (bottle ID), molded shape indicating the shape of bottle 11, molded shape indicating the shape of preform 10, and molded material indicating the raw materials of bottle 11. However, product data B does not have to include identification information for bottle 11, nor does it have to include at least one of the molded shape and molded material.

[0041] The molded shape includes, as product parameters, at least one of the drawing information, image information, and design parameter information of the bottle 11. The drawing information includes, for example, two-dimensional or three-dimensional CAD data. The image information includes two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data.

[0042] The design parameter information for bottle 11 includes the type of bottle 11, strength characteristics, metric characteristics, and other characteristics. The type of bottle 11 is divided into, for example, bottles for carbonated beverages and bottles for aseptic beverages. Strength characteristics include, for example, compressive strength, drop strength, and environmental stress crack resistance. Metric characteristics include body diameter, minimum body diameter, wall thickness, characteristic distribution, capacity, height, and raised base height. Other characteristics include, for example, tipping angle, verticality, longitudinal stretching ratio, transverse stretching ratio, volume ratio, and perimeter ratio. The longitudinal stretching ratio, transverse stretching ratio, volume ratio, and perimeter ratio are all ratios of bottle 11 to preform 10.

[0043] The shape of the molded object includes, as product parameters, at least one of the drawing information, image information, and design parameter information of the preform 10. The drawing information includes, for example, two-dimensional or three-dimensional CAD data. The image information includes two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data.

[0044] The design parameter information of the preform 10 includes the type, metering characteristics, and material characteristics of the preform 10. The types of the preform 10 are divided into a plurality of sizes corresponding to, for example, carbonated beverage use, aseptic beverage use, and a plurality of sizes corresponding to carbonated beverage use and aseptic beverage use, respectively. The metering characteristics include body diameter, wall thickness, characteristic distribution, volume, and height.

[0045] The raw material of the molded body includes, as product parameters, at least one of the type of the raw material of the bottle 11 and the material characteristics. The type of the raw material is determined by, for example, the compound name, composition formula, and composition ratio of the raw material. The material characteristics include current-voltage characteristics, transparency, thermal characteristics, crystallinity, and carbon dioxide gas permeability.

[0046] (Information processing device 4) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the information processing device 4. FIG. 8 is a functional explanatory diagram showing an example of the information processing device 4. The information processing device 4 includes a control unit 40 constituted by a processor or the like, a storage unit 41 constituted by an HDD, an SSD, a memory, or the like, a communication unit 42 which is a communication interface with the network 6 and external devices, an input unit 43 constituted by a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and an output unit 44 constituted by a display or the like. Note that the input unit 43 and the output unit 44 may be omitted.

[0047] The storage unit 41 stores the information processing program 410 and also stores an operating system, other programs, data, and the like.

[0048] The control unit 40 functions as a new product data acquisition unit 400, an existing product data acquisition unit 401, a molding condition processing unit 402, and an output processing unit 403 by executing the information processing program 410 stored in the storage unit 41.

[0049] The new product data acquisition unit 400 acquires new product data B2, which indicates the target product data B when producing a new bottle 11. For example, the new product data acquisition unit 400 acquires new product data B2 by receiving user input operations to the display screen of the output unit 44 or the user terminal device 5 via the input unit 43 or the user terminal device 5. In this embodiment, the new product data B2 will be mainly described in cases where it includes new identification information indicating the identification information of the new bottle 11, new molded body shape indicating the shape of the new bottle 11, new molded body shape indicating the shape of the new preform 10 that will be molded into the new bottle 11 by blow molding, and new molded body raw materials indicating the raw materials of the new bottle 11.

[0050] The existing product data acquisition unit 401 acquires multiple existing product data B related to the existing bottle 11 as existing product data B1. The existing product data acquisition unit 401 also acquires multiple existing product data B1 indicating the molding conditions when the existing bottle 11 was produced. For example, by referring to the database 30, the existing product data acquisition unit 401 acquires multiple existing product data B1 and existing product data B1 registered in multiple records, with existing product data B1 and existing product data B1 registered in the same record associated with each other. In this embodiment, the existing product data B1 will be mainly described in the case where it includes existing identification information indicating the identification information of the existing bottle 11, existing molded body shape indicating the shape of the existing bottle 11, existing molded body shape indicating the shape of the existing preform 10 that is molded into the existing bottle 11 by blow molding, and existing molded body raw materials indicating the raw materials of the existing bottle 11.

[0051] The molding condition processing unit 402 searches for existing product data B1 from a plurality of existing product data B1 obtained from the database 30 that matches the new product data B2 obtained by the new product data acquisition unit 400, and identifies it as matching product data B4. When matching product data B4 is found, it generates new molding condition data A2 by adopting the existing molding condition data A1 associated with matching product data B4 without modification. If matching product data B4 is not found, the molding condition processing unit 402 searches for existing product data B1 from a plurality of existing product data B1 obtained from the database 30 that is similar to the new product data B2 obtained by the new product data acquisition unit 400, and identifies it as similar product data B5. Based on the product similarity D between the new product data B2 and the similar product data B5, it generates new molding condition data A2. The molding condition processing unit 402 includes a feature quantity conversion processing unit 402A, a similarity calculation processing unit 402B, a search processing unit 402C, and a molding condition generation processing unit 402D, which are the parts that perform the above processing.

[0052] The feature transformation processing unit 402A transforms new product data B2 and multiple existing product data B1 into product features B3, respectively. The product features B3 can be represented by feature vectors in a vector space. That is, the product features B3 are represented by feature vectors in vector data format, with each element being a multiple product parameter contained in the new product data B2 or existing product data B1.

[0053] When using feature vectors, the feature transformation processing unit 402A performs scaling processing on each product parameter according to the statistical indicators of the product parameters, for each of the multiple product parameters included in the new product data B2 and the multiple existing product data B1, respectively. Scaling processing includes normalization and standardization, and statistical indicators such as minimum value, maximum value, mean, and standard deviation are used. In this case, dummy variables such as one-hot encoding may be introduced. When scaling processing is performed by the feature transformation processing unit 402A, the feature transformation processing unit 402A uses the feature vector after scaling processing in subsequent processing.

[0054] Furthermore, the feature transformation processing unit 402A transforms the feature vector into a weighted feature vector by performing a weighting process on each element of the feature vector, assigning a weight coefficient corresponding to the statistical indicator of the product parameter for each product parameter. The weight coefficients are coefficients that use statistical indicators such as minimum value, maximum value, mean, and standard deviation, for example, the coefficient of variation and the correlation coefficient. When the feature transformation processing unit 402A performs the weighting process, the feature transformation processing unit 402A uses the weighted feature vector in subsequent processing.

[0055] In this embodiment, the feature transformation processing unit 402A is described as performing a scaling process followed by a weighting process. However, either the scaling process or the weighting process may be omitted, or both may be omitted. Furthermore, the product feature quantity B3 calculated by the feature transformation processing unit 402A is registered in the database 30, so in subsequent processing, the process of calculating the product feature quantity B3 may be omitted by referring to the registered product feature quantity B3.

[0056] The similarity calculation processing unit 402B calculates the product similarity D when comparing the product features B3 of multiple existing product data B1 with the product features B3 of the new product data B2. For example, when feature vectors are used as product features B3, either distance-based similarity or similarity-based similarity is used for product similarity D. For distance-based similarity, for example, one of the following may be calculated: Euclidean distance, Manhattan distance, Chebyshev distance, Minkowski distance, Mahalanobis distance, or Hellinger distance. For similarity-based similarity, for example, one of the following may be calculated: cosine similarity, deviation pattern similarity, or Pearson correlation coefficient. The higher the product similarity D, the more similar the existing product data B1 is considered to be to the new product data B2. Note that the calculation of similarity and the determination of similarity are not limited to distance-based methods using feature vectors as described above, but other clustering methods or rule-based methods such as repeated conditional branching may also be used.

[0057] The search processing unit 402C searches for existing product data B1 that matches the new product data B2 from among multiple existing product data B1, and identifies them as matching product data B4. For example, the search processing unit 402C extracts matching product data B4 by searching for existing identification information contained in each of the multiple existing product data B1 that matches the new identification information contained in the new product data B2. The search processing unit 402C may also search for matching product data B4 using search keys other than identification information.

[0058] Furthermore, the search processing unit 402C searches for existing product data B1 that are similar to the new product data B2 among multiple existing product data B1 as similar product data B5. For example, the search processing unit 402C extracts similar product data B5 by searching for the existing product data B1 with the highest product similarity D among the product similarity D calculated by the similarity calculation processing unit 402B from the new product data B2 and multiple existing product data B1, respectively.

[0059] When the search processing unit 402C finds matching product data B4, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D generates new molding condition data A2 by adopting the existing molding condition data A1 associated with the matching product data B4 without modification.

[0060] Furthermore, when the search processing unit 402C does not find a matching product data B4, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D generates new molding condition data A2 based on the product similarity D between the new product data B2 and the similar product data B5 found by the search processing unit 402C. Specifically, when generating new molding condition data A2 based on the product similarity D, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D compares the product similarity D with a first reference value L1 and a second reference value L2 that is smaller than the first reference value L1, and generates new molding condition data A2 based on the comparison result. The details are explained below.

[0061] First, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D compares the product similarity D with the first reference value L1. If the product similarity D is equal to or greater than the first reference value L1, it generates new molding condition data A2 by adopting the existing molding condition data A1 associated with the similar product data B5 without modification.

[0062] Furthermore, when the product similarity D is less than the first criterion value L1, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D compares the product similarity D with the second criterion value L2. If the product similarity D is less than the first criterion value L1 and greater than or equal to the second criterion value L2, it modifies the existing molding condition data A1 associated with the similar product data B5 to generate new molding condition data A2.

[0063] In this case, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D receives user input operations to the display screen of the output unit 44 or user terminal device 5 via the input unit 43 or user terminal device 5, and generates new molding condition data A2 as a result of the user modifying the molding conditions indicated in the existing molding condition data A1. Alternatively, the molding condition processing unit 402 may use a modification algorithm to modify the molding conditions indicated in the existing molding condition data A1 according to a predetermined modification method. In that case, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D should generate new molding condition data A2 as a result of modifying the molding conditions by applying the modification algorithm to the existing molding condition data A1. The modification algorithm, for example, modifies some of the molding condition parameters (e.g., pre-blow time, main-blow time, etc.) among the multiple molding condition parameters included in the molding condition data A. For example, the amount of modification when modifying the molding condition parameters may be changed according to the product similarity D, or the molding condition parameters to be modified may be changed. Note that the method of generating new molding condition data A2 by modifying the existing molding condition data A1 is not limited to the above.

[0064] Furthermore, when the product similarity D is less than the second criterion value L2, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D generates new molding condition data A2 by setting new molding conditions for the new product data B2.

[0065] In this case, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D receives user input operations on the display screen of the output unit 44 or user terminal device 5 via the input unit 43 or user terminal device 5, and generates new molding condition data A2 as a result of the user setting new molding conditions. Alternatively, the molding condition processing unit 402 may use a learning model in which the correlation between product data B and molding condition data A is learned by machine learning, with product data B as the explanatory variable and molding condition data A as the objective variable. In that case, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D should generate new molding condition data A2 as a result of output from the learning model by inputting new product data B2 into the learning model. Note that the method of generating new molding condition data A2 by setting new molding conditions for new product data B2 is not limited to the above.

[0066] The output processing unit 403 performs output processing to output the processing results from the molding condition processing unit 402 to an external device. As an example of output processing, the output processing unit 403 transmits the processing results from the molding condition processing unit 402 to the container production device 2, the database device 3, or the user terminal device 5. The processing results from the molding condition processing unit 402 include, for example, new molding condition data A2 for new product data B2. The new molding condition data A2 transmitted to the container production device 2 is used to produce new bottles 11 by the blow molding process. The new molding condition data A2 transmitted to the database device 3 is registered in the database 30. The new molding condition data A2 transmitted to the user terminal device 5 is displayed on the display screen and presented to the user.

[0067] (Computer 900) Figure 9 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer 900 that constitutes each device. Each device 2 to 5 that constitutes the molding management system 1 is composed of a general-purpose or dedicated computer 900.

[0068] As shown in Figure 9, the computer 900 comprises, as its main components, a bus 910, a processor 912, memory 914, an input device 916, an output device 917, a display device 918, a storage device 920, a communication interface unit 922, an external device interface unit 924, an I / O device interface unit 926, and a media input / output unit 928. Note that the above components may be omitted as appropriate depending on the intended use of the computer 900.

[0069] The processor 912 consists of one or more arithmetic processing units (CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro-processing unit), DSP (digital signal processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc.) and operates as a control unit that oversees the entire computer 900. The memory 914 stores various data and programs 930 and consists of volatile memory (DRAM, SRAM, etc.) that functions as main memory, and non-volatile memory (ROM), flash memory, etc.

[0070] The input device 916 consists of, for example, a keyboard, mouse, numeric keypad, or electronic pen, and functions as an input unit. The output device 917 consists of, for example, a sound (voice) output device or a vibration device, and functions as an output unit. The display device 918 consists of, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, electronic paper, or a projector, and functions as an output unit. The input device 916 and the display device 918 may be configured as an integrated unit, such as a touch panel display. The storage device 920 consists of, for example, an HDD or SSD, and functions as a storage unit. The storage device 920 stores various data necessary for the execution of the operating system and the program 930.

[0071] The communication I / F unit 922 is connected by wire or wireless to a network 940 such as the Internet or an intranet (which may be the same as network 6 in Figure 1) and functions as a communication unit that sends and receives data with other computers according to a predetermined communication standard. The external device I / F unit 924 is connected by wire or wireless to an external device 950 such as a camera, printer, scanner, or reader / writer and functions as a communication unit that sends and receives data with the external device 950 according to a predetermined communication standard. The I / O device I / F unit 926 is connected to an I / O device 960 such as various sensors and actuators and functions as a communication unit that sends and receives various signals and data with the I / O device 960, for example, detection signals from sensors and control signals to actuators. The media input / output unit 928 consists of, for example, a drive device such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive or a CD (Compact Disc) drive, a memory card slot, and a USB connector, and reads and writes data to media (non-temporary storage media) 970 such as DVDs, CDs, memory cards, and USB memory.

[0072] In the computer 900 having the above configuration, the processor 912 calls and executes the program 930 stored in the storage device 920 in the memory 914, and controls various parts of the computer 900 via the bus 910. The program 930 may also be stored in the memory 914 instead of the storage device 920. The program 930 may be recorded on the media 970 in an installable or executable file format and provided to the computer 900 via the media input / output unit 928. The program 930 may also be provided to the computer 900 by downloading it via the network 940 through the communication interface unit 922. Furthermore, the computer 900 may implement various functions that are realized by the processor 912 executing the program 930 using hardware such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0073] Computer 900 is an electronic device of any form, consisting of, for example, a stationary computer or a portable computer. Computer 900 may be a client computer, a server computer, a cloud computer, or an embedded computer such as a control panel or controller (including microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers, and sequencers).

[0074] (Information processing method by information processing device 4) Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an information processing method by information processing device 4. Here, it is explained that the database 30 contains existing molding condition data A1 and existing product data B1 related to a wide variety of existing bottles 11.

[0075] First, in step S200, the new product data acquisition unit 400 acquires new product data B2 relating to the new bottle 11. The new product data B2 includes, for example, new identification information, new molded body shape, new molded body shape, and new molded body raw materials.

[0076] Next, in step S210, the existing product data acquisition unit 401 acquires multiple existing molding condition data A1 and existing product data B1 by referring to the database 30, while associating existing molding condition data A1, which shows the molding conditions when an existing bottle 11 was produced, with existing product data B1 related to that existing bottle 11. The existing product data B1 includes, for example, existing identification information, existing molded body shape, existing molded body shape, and existing molded body raw materials.

[0077] Next, in steps S220 to S233, the molding condition processing unit 402 searches the database 30 for matching product data B4 that matches the new product data B2, or similar product data B5 that is similar to the new product data B2, and generates new molding condition data A2.

[0078] As a specific process, in step S220, the search processing unit 402C searches for existing product data B1 among the multiple existing product data B1 acquired in step S210 that contains existing identification information that matches the new identification information contained in the new product data B2 acquired in step S200, and identifies it as matching product data B4.

[0079] If, as a result of the processing in step S220, a matching product data B4 is found (step S221: Yes), then in step S230, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D generates new molding condition data A2 by adopting the existing molding condition data A1 associated with the matching product data B4 without modification.

[0080] On the other hand, if no matching product data B4 is found as a result of the processing in step S220 (step S221: No), in step S222, the feature transformation processing unit 402A transforms the new product data B2 obtained in step S200 and the multiple existing product data B1 obtained in step S210 into product feature quantities B3, respectively.

[0081] Next, in step S223, the similarity calculation processing unit 402B calculates the product similarity D when comparing the product features B3 of multiple existing product data B1 with the product features B3 of the new product data B2 converted in step S222.

[0082] Next, in step S224, the search processing unit 402C searches for the existing product data B1 with the highest product similarity D calculated in step S223 relative to the new product data B2 obtained in step S200, from among the multiple existing product data B1 obtained in step S210, and identifies it as similar product data B5.

[0083] Next, in step S225, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D compares the product similarity D of the similar product data B5 retrieved in step S224 with the first reference value L1 and the second reference value L2 (L1 > L2).

[0084] If, as a result of the comparison in step S225, the product similarity D is greater than or equal to the first criterion value L1 (step S225: L1 ≤ D1), then in step S231, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D generates new molding condition data A2 by adopting the existing molding condition data A1 associated with the similar product data B5 retrieved in step S224 without modification.

[0085] Furthermore, if the comparison result in step S225 shows that the product similarity D is less than the first criterion value L1 and greater than or equal to the second criterion value L2 (step S225: L2 ≤ D1 < L1), then in step S232, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D generates new molding condition data A2 by modifying the existing molding condition data A1 associated with the similar product data B5 retrieved in step S224.

[0086] Furthermore, if the product similarity D is less than the second criterion value L2 as a result of the comparison in step S225 (step S225: D1 < L2), in step S233, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D generates new molding condition data A2 by setting new molding conditions for the new product data B2 obtained in step S200.

[0087] Next, in step S240, the output processing unit 403 performs output processing to output the new molding condition data A2, which was generated in any of steps S230 to S233, as a result of processing by the molding condition processing unit 402, to, for example, the user terminal device 5. The user terminal device 5 then displays a display screen based on the processing result, presenting the user with the result of generating the new molding condition data A2 for the new product data B2. The new molding condition data A2 may be finalized by the user via the display screen, and may also be editable.

[0088] As described above, the series of information processing methods shown in Figure 10 is completed. In the above information processing method, step S200 corresponds to the new product data acquisition step, step S210 corresponds to the existing product data acquisition step, steps S220 to S233 correspond to the molding condition processing steps, and step S240 corresponds to the output processing step.

[0089] As described above, according to the information processing device 4 and the information processing method by the information processing device 4 according to this embodiment, the molding condition processing unit 402 searches the database 30 for similar product data B5 that is similar to the new product data B2, and generates new molding condition data A2 for producing the new bottle 11 based on the product similarity D between the new product data B2 and the similar product data B5. Therefore, the molding conditions for producing the new bottle 11 by blow molding can be easily derived.

[0090] In this process, the molding condition processing unit 402 converts the new product data B2 and the multiple existing product data B1 into product feature quantities B3 (specifically, feature vectors in a vector space), calculates the product similarity D (specifically, similarity in terms of distance or similarity) when comparing the product feature quantities B3 of the multiple existing product data B1 with the product feature quantities B3 of the new product data B2, and searches for the existing product data B1 with the highest product similarity D among the multiple existing product data B1 as similar product data B5. Therefore, by using the product feature quantities B3 and product similarity D, similar product data B5 can be easily searched without complex processing.

[0091] In addition, when the molding condition processing unit 402 generates new molding condition data A2 based on the product similarity D, it compares the product similarity D with a first reference value L1 and a second reference value L2 (L1 > L2), and generates new molding condition data A2 based on the comparison result. Therefore, the molding conditions when producing the new bottle 11 can be appropriately changed depending on whether the product similarity D of the similar product data B5 is high or low relative to the new product data B2.

[0092] Furthermore, the molding condition processing unit 402 searches the database 30 for matching product data B4 that matches the existing product data B1. When matching product data B4 is found, it uses the existing molding condition data A1 associated with the matching product data B4 without modification, thereby generating new molding condition data A2. Therefore, since matching product data B4 is searched from a different perspective (in this embodiment, identification information) than the product similarity D, the molding conditions for producing a new bottle 11 can be easily derived.

[0093] (Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. All of these modifications are included in the technical concept of the present invention.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the case in which the database device 3 is equipped with a database 30 (storage unit) was described. In contrast, the information processing device 4 may be equipped with a database equivalent to the database 30. In that case, the molding condition data A and product data B registered in each database may be the same or different.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the new product data B2 includes new identification information, a new molded body shape, a new molded body shape, and new molded body raw materials, while the existing product data B1 includes existing identification information, an existing molded body shape, an existing molded body shape, and existing molded body raw materials. In contrast, the new product data B2 only needs to include at least the new molded body shape, and does not need to include some of the new identification information, the new molded body shape, and the new molded body raw materials, nor does it need to include all of them. Similarly, the existing product data B1 only needs to include at least the existing molded body shape, and does not need to include some of the existing identification information, the existing molded body shape, and the existing molded body raw materials, nor does it need to include all of them. In that case, the molding condition processing unit 402 should search for matching product data B4 and similar product data B5 based on the information contained in the new product data B2 and the existing product data B1.

[0096] In the above embodiment, when the feature quantity conversion processing unit 402A of the molding condition processing unit 402 converts new product data B2 and existing product data B1 into product feature quantity B3 (feature vector), it was described as converting them into a single product feature quantity B3 (feature vector). In contrast, the product feature quantity B3 (feature vector) may be converted into three product feature quantities B3 (feature vectors) by separately converting the molded body shape, the shape of the molded body, and the molded body raw material included in the product data B, for example. In that case, the similarity calculation processing unit 402B may calculate the similarity for the three product feature quantities B3 separately, and then calculate the product similarity D by integrating these three similarities.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the case described was one in which the information processing device 4 is equipped with the functional units shown in Figures 7 and 8 and operates according to the steps shown in the flowchart of Figure 10. In contrast, some of the functional units and steps may be omitted, or other functional units and steps may be added. In that case, the omitted functional units and steps may be executed by an external system. For example, steps S220 and S221 may be omitted, and the process may proceed to step S222 after step S210. In that case, the molding condition processing unit 402 does not need to have a function to search for matching product data B4. Also, in step S225, the molding condition generation processing unit 402D may compare the product similarity D of the similar product data B5 with a first reference value L1. In that case, if the product similarity D is less than the first reference value L1, the process may proceed to step S232 or step S233.

[0098] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0099] (Note 1) An information processing device for processing information regarding molding conditions when producing a molded body by blow molding, comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires new product data including new molded body shape indicating the shape of a new molded body; and a molding condition processing unit that searches for existing product data similar to the new product data as similar product data from a plurality of storage units in which existing product data including existing molded body shape indicating the shape of an existing molded body and existing molding condition data indicating the molding conditions when the existing molded body was produced, and generates new molding condition data indicating the molding conditions when producing the new molded body based on the similarity between the new product data and the similar product data.

[0100] (Note 2) The information processing apparatus according to Note 1, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires new product data including the shape of the new molded body and the shape of the new molded body to be formed into the new molded body by blow molding, and the molding condition processing unit searches for existing product data similar to the new product data as similar product data from a storage unit that stores a plurality of existing product data including the shape of the existing molded body and the shape of the existing molded body to be formed into the existing molded body by blow molding, and the existing molding condition data in association with each other, and generates the new molding condition data based on the degree of similarity between the new product data and the similar product data.

[0101] (Note 3) The information processing apparatus according to Note 1 or Note 2, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires new product data including the new molded body shape and new molded body raw materials indicating the raw materials for the new molded body, and the molding condition processing unit searches for existing product data similar to the new product data as similar product data from a storage unit in which existing product data including the existing molded body shape and existing molded body raw materials indicating the raw materials for the existing molded body and existing molding condition data are stored in association, and generates the new molding condition data based on the similarity between the new product data and the similar product data.

[0102] (Note 4) The molding condition processing unit acquires new product data including the shape of the new molded body and new identification information indicating the identification information of the new molded body. When the molding condition processing unit generates the new molding condition data based on the similarity, the molding condition processing unit searches for existing product data including the existing identification information that matches the new identification information included in the new product data from a storage unit in which a plurality of existing product data including the shape of the existing molded body and existing identification information indicating the identification information of the existing molded body are associated with the existing molding condition data, as matching product data. When matching product data is found, the information processing device generates the new molding condition data by adopting the existing molding condition data associated with the matching product data without modification. When no matching product data is found, the information processing device generates the new molding condition data from the storage unit, which includes existing product data similar to the new product data as similar product data, based on the similarity between the new product data and the similar product data.

[0103] (Note 5) The molding condition processing unit, when searching for similar product data, converts the new product data and the multiple existing product data into product features, calculates the similarity when comparing the product features of the multiple existing product data with the product features of the new product data, and searches for the existing product data with the highest similarity among the multiple existing product data as the similar product data, as described in any one of Notes 1 to 4.

[0104] (Note 6) The information processing device according to any one of Notes 1 to 5, wherein when the molding condition processing device generates new molding condition data based on the similarity, when the similarity is equal to or greater than a first reference value, it generates the new molding condition data by adopting the existing molding condition data associated with the similar product data without modification, and when the similarity is less than a first reference value, it generates the new molding condition data by modifying the existing molding condition data associated with the similar product data.

[0105] (Note 7) The information processing device according to any one of Notes 1 to 6, wherein when the molding condition processing device generates new molding condition data based on the similarity, when the similarity is equal to or greater than a first reference value, it generates the new molding condition data by adopting the existing molding condition data associated with the similar product data without modification; when the similarity is less than the first reference value and equal to or greater than a second reference value smaller than the first reference value, it generates the new molding condition data by modifying the existing molding condition data associated with the similar product data; and when the similarity is less than the second reference value, it generates the new molding condition data by setting new molding conditions.

[0106] 1...Molding management system, 2...Container production equipment, 3...Database device, 4...Information processing device, 5...User terminal device, 10...Preform (workpiece), 11...Bottle (molded product), 30...Database (storage unit), 40...Control unit, 41...Storage unit, 42...Communication unit, 43...Input unit, 44...Output unit, 400...New product data acquisition unit, 401...Existing product data acquisition unit, 402...Molding condition processing unit, 402A...Feature quantity conversion processing unit, 402B...Similarity calculation processing unit, 402C...Search processing unit, 402D...Molding condition generation processing unit, 403...Output processing unit, 410...Information processing program, 900...Computer

Claims

1. An information processing device for processing information regarding molding conditions when producing a molded body by blow molding, comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires new product data including new molded body shape indicating the shape of a new molded body; and a molding condition processing unit that searches for existing product data similar to the new product data as similar product data from a plurality of storage units in which existing product data including existing molded body shape indicating the shape of an existing molded body and existing molding condition data indicating the molding conditions when the existing molded body was produced, and generates new molding condition data indicating the molding conditions when producing the new molded body based on the similarity between the new product data and the similar product data.

2. The data acquisition unit acquires new product data including the shape of the new molded body and the shape of the new molded body to be formed into the new molded body by blow molding; the molding condition processing unit searches for existing product data similar to the new product data as similar product data from a storage unit that stores a plurality of existing product data including the shape of the existing molded body and the shape of the existing molded body to be formed into the existing molded body by blow molding, and the existing molding condition data in association with each other; and generates the new molding condition data based on the degree of similarity between the new product data and the similar product data, according to claim 1.

3. The data acquisition unit acquires new product data including the new molded body shape and new molded body raw materials indicating the raw materials for the new molded body; the molding condition processing unit searches for existing product data similar to the new product data as similar product data from a storage unit that stores a plurality of existing product data including the existing molded body shape and existing molded body raw materials indicating the raw materials for the existing molded body, and existing molding condition data in association with each other; and generates the new molding condition data based on the degree of similarity between the new product data and the similar product data, according to claim 1.

4. The molding condition processing unit acquires new product data including the shape of the new molded body and new identification information indicating the identification information of the new molded body; when the molding condition processing unit generates the new molding condition data based on the similarity, the molding condition processing unit searches for existing product data including the existing identification information that matches the new identification information included in the new product data from a storage unit in which a plurality of existing product data including the shape of the existing molded body and existing identification information indicating the identification information of the existing molded body and the existing molding condition data are stored in association with each other, as matching product data; when matching product data is found, the unit generates the new molding condition data by adopting the existing molding condition data associated with the matching product data without modification; when no matching product data is found, the unit searches for existing product data similar to the new product data as similar product data, and generates the new molding condition data based on the similarity between the new product data and the similar product data, as described in claim 1.

5. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the molding condition processing unit, when searching for similar product data, converts the new product data and the plurality of existing product data into product features, calculates the similarity when comparing the product features of the plurality of existing product data with the product features of the new product data, and searches for the existing product data with the highest similarity among the plurality of existing product data as the similar product data.

6. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the molding condition processing device generates new molding condition data based on the similarity, when the similarity is equal to or greater than a first reference value, it generates the new molding condition data by adopting the existing molding condition data associated with the similar product data without modification, and when the similarity is less than a first reference value, it generates the new molding condition data by modifying the existing molding condition data associated with the similar product data.

7. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the molding condition processing device generates new molding condition data based on the similarity, it generates the new molding condition data by adopting the existing molding condition data associated with the similar product data without modification when the similarity is equal to or greater than a first reference value, it generates the new molding condition data by modifying the existing molding condition data associated with the similar product data when the similarity is less than the first reference value and equal to or greater than a second reference value smaller than the first reference value, and it generates the new molding condition data by setting new molding conditions when the similarity is less than the second reference value.

8. An information processing method for processing information regarding molding conditions when producing a molded body by blow molding, comprising: a data acquisition step of acquiring new product data including new molded body shape indicating the shape of a new molded body; and a molding condition processing step of searching for existing product data similar to the new product data as similar product data from a storage unit that stores a plurality of existing product data including existing molded body shape indicating the shape of an existing molded body and existing molding condition data indicating the molding conditions when the existing molded body was produced, in association with each other, and generating new molding condition data indicating the molding conditions when producing the new molded body based on the similarity between the new product data and the similar product data.

Images